Telly chiefs were also slammed for causing "mental and moral harm" to children.

Yvonne MacNamara, chief executive of the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain, said the decision was "a stunning victory".

She added: "The ASA has condemned Channel 4's advertising campaign for the appalling harm it has done to the mental and moral wellbeing of gypsy and traveller children. As a result, Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy brand has been held up to be morally bankrupt.

"We call on Channel 4 to repair the incredible harm they have done to the UK's most vulnerable minorities."

The advertising campaign attracted 372 complaints.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "It was not Channel 4's intention for these adverts to cause offence but we are sorry this was the case among some members of the gypsy and traveller community."